, then select "Add to Home Screen" to get instant access.
Log In
Explore
Cheeses
Cheesemakers
Types
Pairings
Cheese Map
Free Tools
Ricotta Cheese vs Stilton Cheese
Ricotta Cheese
Stilton Cheese
In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Ricotta Cheese and Stilton Cheese, including:
- "What is the difference between Ricotta Cheese and Stilton Cheese?"
- "Is Ricotta Cheese and Stilton Cheese the same?"
- "How does Ricotta Cheese compare to Stilton Cheese cheese?"
- "How does the taste of Ricotta Cheese compare to Stilton Cheese?"
- "Is Ricotta Cheese or Stilton Cheese better?"
Ricotta Cheese Overview
Ricotta is a soft Italian cheese made from the whey left over from the production of other cheeses, primarily sheep, cow, goat, or buffalo milk. It has a creamy texture and a mild, sweet flavor, making it versatile for both savory dishes, like lasagna and ravioli, and sweet dishes, such as cheesecakes and cannoli.
Stilton Cheese Overview
Stilton is one of the best-known British blue cheeses, traditionally made in two varieties: blue and white. Blue Stilton is creamy and crumbly with a distinctively sharp, rich flavor produced by the blue veins. White Stilton, less common, is the milder of the two and does not have the blue veining.
Comparing the Two Cheeses
Country of Origin
Ricotta Cheese comes from Italy. Stilton Cheese originated from England.
Certification
Many cheeses have some kind of protected status that makes it so they can only be produced in a certain manner and location. Ricotta is not a protected cheese. Stilton Cheese has a PDO (1996).
Milk Type and Treatment
Ricotta Cheese is made with cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk that is typically unknown. Stilton Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically pasteurized.
Composition and Texture
Ricotta Cheese has a fat content of varies and a moisture content of high. Ricotta's texture can be described as "soft, moist". Stilton's texture can be described as "hard, blue-veined".
Taste and Aroma
Ricotta Cheese has a sweet, slightly creamy taste. Ricotta's aroma can be described as "mild". Stilton Cheese has a spicy, strong taste.
Appearance and Aging
Ricotta Cheese's appearance is colored white , is available in grainy soft mass and is aged fresh . Stilton Cheese has a color of blue-grey .
Rind and Rennet Type
Ricotta Cheese's rind is described as none and uses animal or microbial rennet. Stilton Cheese's rind is described as natural .
Ranking
Ricotta is ranked #25 out of 996 types based on community views. Stilton is ranked #29 out of 996 types based on community views.
Pairing Comparison
| Ricotta | Stilton | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | Fruit Compote, Pumpkin | Barleywine, Madeira |
| Other Good Pairings | Albariño, Apricot, Asti Spumante, Bresaola, Honey, Honeycomb, Kiwi, Mangoes, Pesto, Raspberry, Roasted Vegetables, Strawberries | No additional pairings listed. |
For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Ricotta and Stilton pages.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Ricotta Cheese | Stilton Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | England |
| Specific Origin | Not Specified | Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire |
| Certification | Not Specified | PDO (1996) |
| Milk Type | Cow's, goat's, sheep's or water buffalo's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Whey | Pasteurized |
| Fat Content | Varies | Not Specified |
| Moisture Content | High | Not Specified |
| Rind | None | Natural |
| Texture | Soft, moist | Hard, blue-veined |
| Taste | Sweet, slightly creamy | Spicy, strong |
| Aroma | Mild | Not Specified |
| Colors | White | Blue-grey |
| Forms | Grainy soft mass | Not Specified |
| Age | Fresh | Not Specified |
| Rennet Type | Animal or Microbial | Not Specified |
Which One Should You Choose?
If you prefer a soft, moist cheese, go for Ricotta. But if you enjoy a hard, blue-veined consistency, Stilton might be the better pick. Ricotta has a sweet, slightly creamy taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Stilton offers a spicy, strong profile, ideal for different meals.
